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The relationship between the digital literacy and healthy aging of the elderly in Korea

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Abstract

The purpose of this study is to verify the relationship between the level of use of information and communication technology and healthy aging of the elderly in Korean society. Data from The Survey of the Elderly in 2020 conducted by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs was used. A total of 9832 elderly people (mean age = 73.41, standard deviation = 6.53, male = 3940, female = 5892) participated in the study. It was found that the use of information and communication technology was positively related to healthy aging. Specifically, the higher the level of use of information and communication technology of the elderly, the fewer chronic diseases, less deterioration of physical function, lower depression, higher life satisfaction, and higher participation in social activities. This study suggests the need for educational and institutional interventions to improve the level of use of information and communication technology of the elderly in Korea to help them with healthy aging.

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Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available from [The Survey of the Elderly in 2020]. Data are available from the authors upon reasonable request and with permission of [The Survey of the Elderly in 2020].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Catholic University, Bucheon, Republic of Korea

    Eun-A Oh

  2. Department of Psychology and Psychotherapy, College of Health Science, Dankook University, 119 Dandae-ro, Dongnam-gu, Cheonan, Chungnam, Republic of Korea

    Sung-Man Bae

  3. Department of Psychology, Graduate School, Dankook University, Cheonan, Republic of Korea

    Sung-Man Bae

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  1. Eun-A Oh
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Contributions

Oh designed the study, analyzed the data, and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. Bae contributed to the design of the study, supervised the study, and edited the final version of the paper.

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Correspondence to Sung-Man Bae.

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Oh, EA., Bae, SM. The relationship between the digital literacy and healthy aging of the elderly in Korea. Curr Psychol 43, 16160–16169 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-05557-2

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